Assessing the disease and the patient

Question 1

What does the caries management system entail?

Answer 1

• To assess, treat and monitor our patients

* To empower patients to manage the cariogenic biofilm and manage the lesion

Question 2

State the difference between secondary and primary prevention

Answer 2

They both entail non- operative procedures

Primary prevention: prevent new white spot lesions (WSL) and root-surface lesions (RSL)

• professional cleaning
• polishing, removal of calculus/ biofilmtraps
• application of topical fluoride
• Fissure sealants

Secondary prevention:

• arrest progression of both WSLs and RSLs to avoid cavitation by applying topical fluoride
• sealing pits and fissures

Question 3

What is the treatment plan for ICDAS code 1?

Answer 3

Partial sealant

Question 4

What is the treatment plan for ICDAS code 2?

Answer 4

Full sealant

Question 5

What is the treatment plan for ICDAS code 3?

Answer 5

Tooth colour restoration

Question 6

What is the treatment plan for ICDAS code 4?

Answer 6

Amalgam

Question 7

What is the treatment plan for ICDAS code 5?

Answer 7

Stainless steel crown

Question 8

What is the treatment plan for ICDAS code 6?

Answer 8

Porcelain, Gold crown, veneers

Question 9

What are reasons for insufficient saliva flow?

Answer 9

• Developmental: Some people have either no salivary glands or no ducts
• Diurnal variation: Normal diurnal variation results in a dramatic reduction of salivary flow during sleep which reduces clearance, buffering, remineralisation
• Iatrogenic (treatment induced): Anti-cholinergic medications may result in xerostomia and hyposalivation. Damage to the salivary glands from radiation, trauma
• Disease associated: Auto-immune conditions (e.g. Sjogren’s syndrome) Viral and bacterial infections (HIV, staphlococcal)

Question 10

What is the difference between a caries risk marker and a caries risk indicator?

Answer 10

Caries disease markers are clinical observations that show there is disease present or that there has been recent disease. They are physical signs of the disease: holes, white spots, radiolucency’s

Caries risk factors are those that contribute to the level of risk for the patient of having new carious lesions in the future or having the existing lesions progress. They provide information on what has caused or contributed to the disease, which may indicate how they can treat this disease.